Omega 3 fatty acids

Omega 6 fatty acids

Omega 6: omega 3 Ratio

Joint inflammation and arthritis

Allergy

Autoimmune disorders

Mental alertness

Flax oil

Cod liver oil

Fish oil

Recommendation

Omega 3 fatty acid supplements for dogs:

There is a huge difference in the omega 3 - omega 6 balance in  commercial dog foods and the omega 3 - omega 6 balance in the diet of wild carnivores.  The wild animal’s diet is composed mostly of small animals and birds eaten whole.  This natural diet is high in omega 3 fatty acids and low in omega 6s.  Commercial dog food is exactly the opposite.  Dog food contains a lot of cereal grain which is high in omega 6 fatty acids and low in omega 3s.  This lack of omega 3s affects the health of our pets in ways that nutritionists and veterinarians are only beginning to understand.    

Omega 3 fatty acids are vital for normal function of every organ system in the body, particularly the immune system.  A lack of omega 3s (or relative excess of omega 6s) contributes to allergic and degenerative disorders, causing:

• Joint inflammation and arthritis
   
• Allergy - dry itchy skin, recurring skin infection, recurring ear infections
   
• Autoimmune disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease
   
• Loss of mental alertness in older dogs

Flax and flax oil are good sources of omega 3s but unstable. Heat processing destroys most of flaxseed’s value. Cold-pressed flax oil is an excellent choice, but has a short shelf life and must be kept continuously under refrigeration. 

Oils such as cod liver oil derived from cold water fish  are an excellent source of omega 3s and a more practical  way of supplementing our pets’ diets:

• Deep water fish concentrate toxins like mercury and cancer-causing PCBs. If we are going to use fish oil for ourselves or our pets, purity is an important concern. 
   

• Fish oils oxidize easily. Old or improperly stored fish oil oxidizes, creating free radicals which are toxic. Pure, fresh fish oil is light in color. It has very little fishy flavor and almost no odor. The pump dispensers used for some veterinary omega oil supplements are easy to use, but oxidize the product. This isn’t what you want. Once opened, fish oil should be refrigerated and used within three months. Wipe away excess oil from the lip of the bottle after each use so you don’t accumulate oxidized oil and contaminate the next dose.

Recommendations:

• Feed a low fat commercial diet, preferably one formulated for dental health.
   

• Supplement with cod liver oil or if you find the extra convenience worth the cost, with fish oil gel caps. Buy the highest quality product you can find.
   

• Give pets of all ages one teaspoonful of cod liver oil per fifty lbs. or the equivalent amount of fish oil gel caps.

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